Online NBI clearance only cuts application time

by Kathlyn dela Cruz, ABS-CBNnews.com

Personal appearance for photo, biometrics still needed

MANILA -- Here's good news for applicants for National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) clearance. You no longer have to wait in line for two to three hours before you can even start with the first step of the application.

The NBI on Friday launched the online clearance system with the goal of eliminating long queues at the bureau's clearance centers.

First-time applicants and those renewing their NBI clearances may now visit www.doj.gov.ph/nbi or www.nbi.gov.ph. where they can easily register and fill out information.

Users will then be given a registration code and the application form which they will need to present in NBI clearance centers.

Speaking to "ANCalerts" on Friday, NBI clearance system spokesperson Edmundo Arugay said the feedback to the new system so far has been "very good."

The new system has helped applicants save an average of two to three hours since lining up usually takes that long, Arugay said.

"The feedback is very good. It drastically reduced the queues of applicants at the NBI office," he said.

He said applicants who do not have a printer or have no means to print out their application forms may just write their registration code on a piece of paper and present it at the NBI clearance center.

According to Arugay, the NBI is also planning to launch an e-payment for the clearance fee, which is the second step of the application.

"Very soon, you just have to pay it in the banks. Again, we're going to minimize the first and second steps," he said.

However, the next steps will still require the personal appearance of applicants since the NBI will have to take their picture and biometrics.

Meanwhile, Arugay said those who do not have online access need not to worry.

He said they will soon put up kiosks in malls where clearance applicants can register online.

The launch of the online clearance application came weeks after the NBI implemented a new system which resulted in long lines in the bureau's offices.